Point of Contention (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (12 page)

point and mine. I want the freedom to fuck both of you. I’ll take my

loss of his touch, but I’ll cherish how you made me come this

afternoon.”

“At your service, ma’am, whenever you need the release.”

“As long as we’re away from the lodge and Stuart doesn’t find

out. I just don’t want to live with his ‘I told you so’ look for the rest of my time there.”

“I know you’ll move on after the contract, and I understand why,

but I am enjoying having you in the kitchen with me.”

“Me, too, I like my job. It’s a shame we couldn’t just find a happy

medium for all three of us.”

“With time, my dear, sometimes things change. Besides, you want

Stuart as your mate. And you just want the freedom to invite me to

join in occasionally.” He stared at me with a strange smile.

“What?”

“Just a curiosity, what if Stuart gives you a counteroffer?”

“Such as?”

“Well, if he decides to let you enjoy him and another man, what

would you say to him asking another woman to join you?”

“You’re a troublemaker, Travis, and enjoying this too much. And

you know the answer. I’ve had my experiences with women. I enjoy

women, but I don’t get the same sexual turn-on as I do with men.

Besides, some women get jealous, and that’s what I’m trying to avoid.

If Stuart asks another woman, most likely she’ll think she should get

all his attention. I’m into cocks, fucking and sucking them. Women,

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even with toys, just don’t have the same just effect for me. Call me

indelicate, but if he offered a woman with a cock, I might be

interested!”

Travis burst out laughing. “Been there, done that, as you would

say. I think if he knew in advance the woman had both sets of

equipment, he’d make an informed decision. But I wouldn’t spring it

on him as a surprise.”

“I suppose that’s another issue not to mention to Stuart. But can I

ask you a question?”

“We’ve always been blunt, go ahead.”

“When you and Stuart used to share women, did you share each

other too?”

“No. We’ve had a third man who serviced us once, but Stuart and

I are both into women. We did better when we shared just one woman

and gave her our attention.”

“So I guess we just aren’t meant to be a threesome.”

“Not just yet, but you never know with time.”

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Louisa Neil

Chapter Ten

Kay knew come October the fishing would dwindle and she’d get

her afternoons back after hunting season closed at the first of the year, but the difference left her exhausted in the evenings. Which was a

good thing, she decided. It kept her from having too much time to

think about Stuart Drake. After her last fiasco of inviting herself to

see the dogs practice and having him ignore her, she’d gone to town

and gotten a library card. Now, when she had spare time she spent it

in the cool room filled with books. The short drive relaxed her, and

she especially enjoyed reading the out-of-town newspapers.

The head librarian, Grace, was rapidly becoming a friend. About

her age, she’d been born and raised in the Wilmington area, coming

home after college with a broken heart. The following year, she’d

taken the job and hadn’t looked back. While Grace didn’t seem to

date or at least tell Kay about her dates, they enjoyed lunches together on Mondays when Kay was in town. Occasionally they’d meet for a

movie or to shop in the early evenings. Tentative still, Kay understood

that friendship developed over time, and she was just happy to have a

female friend to talk to occasionally, even if they weren’t to the

“baring your soul” stage.

Happy with her job and especially with her performance at it, she

had fallen into a comfortable routine. Travis lavished her with praise

often, and even Stuart had stopped by several times to compliment a

certain lunch or dessert. It didn’t slide past her that he always made a point of doing it when there was other staff present. He still hadn’t

mentioned anything about her garden and neither did she.

Travis was using, with regularity, the fresh herbs that she was

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growing. She had small vines of tomatoes and cucumbers growing up

stakes Hoyt had brought her one day to supplement the chicken wire.

While he ignored the garden mostly, occasionally he would take her

aside and give her a tip or suggestion. She welcomed his input and

even earned an occasional smile from him. Only Stuart kept his

distance, and she figured it was for the best.

Kay knew Travis and Stuart often had men’s night out on

Mondays. She never asked where they went or let on that she even

knew. Only Martha’s occasional comment gave her inside

information. She still swam most evenings while the guests were

eating and had done some research on riding a horse. Kay hadn’t

mentioned to anyone that the idea was appealing to her.

The only problem she had to deal with on a daily basis was Jimmy

Timms. He was summer help, signed on for May, June, July, and

August to run the fishing boats. As captain, he oversaw the other

marina staff as well as maintenance on the boats. Her contact with

him was limited to lunches for their guests as well as the crew. Kay

had smiled and laughed at his attentions in the first few weeks he was

working there. It seemed to her he was always in the kitchen, standing

just a bit too close for her comfort. Many a time she turned directly

into him. While trying to maintain a professional tone, she’d asked

him to refrain from being in her space while she was working, telling

him she’d run him down one day. He laughed and nodded at each

request, yet always seemed to be too close. He hadn’t been outright

rude toward her, but she knew the warning signs.

By the second week, he was reaching to touch her shoulder or

arm, and she found herself pulling back sharply. By the beginning of

the third week, she’d had enough.

She was tired and hormonal and hot. It was her last nerve he got

on that morning, standing close behind her and running his fingers

along her neck. It sent a sick chill through her, and she lost her

composure. Kay swung around so fast his coffee sloshed over the rim

of his mug.

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“Don’t touch me, Mr. Timms, ever again. Do I make myself

clear? I’ve asked you repeatedly to stay out of my workspace, and you

insist on dogging my every step. Now you’ve made me spill coffee on

you. Please keep a proper distance!” She’d held his look and waited

for an answer. His eyes had squinted while he stared at her, deciding

how to answer. Kay kept her stance, not backing down. Unfortunately

everyone else in the kitchen had overheard, the noiseless space

invading their standoff.

“Sorry, baby,” he started, and she took a step closer, narrowing

her eyes toward him.

“I am not your baby or anything else to you. From now on, unless

you have business that pertains to the guests’ meals, I’d prefer it if you kept your distance from me. Both at work and off.” Kay knew she

should reign back her tone and didn’t. She’d had enough of the

playboy and his leering ways and his innuendos that made her feel

dirty after he’d left. He was always just short of being crude with her.

Lisa intervened, ending the staring standoff between them. “Mr.

Timms, is there a problem with the meals?”

Both Kay and Jimmy had turned to look at her, Kay thankful for

her presence.

“Just getting some morning coffee,” he replied, with a slimy grin.

“Then you have no reason to be pestering Kay when she has so

much work to do.”

“Now, who says I was pestering her? We were just teasing each

other,” he started, only Kay jumped in before he could continue.

“No, Mr. Timms, I’m not joking or teasing with you. I’d prefer

you kept your distance physically from me, do you understand? Your

only business with me is about lunches, and that’s supposed to be

handled by e-mail the night before. If there are any last-minute

changes that need to be handled, please call from the dock. I’ll not

stand for you in my workspace any longer.” Her tone had become

courtroom low, her eyes daring him to look away. For a pregnant

pause, all three of them stood quiet.

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“Hey, I don’t need the hassle. It’s your loss, babe,” he tossed over

his shoulder as he left the kitchen. Kay relaxed her posture and smiled

at Lisa.

“Thanks, I can’t stand him always breathing on me.”

“You should have told me sooner,” Lisa said.

“I figured a few rude comments and he’d back off. I was wrong,

obviously.”

“Men. You just can’t figure them out.” Lisa turned away and left

quickly. Kay was glad for her backup this morning, but when she saw

Travis later in the day, she made a point of telling him about the

episode in case there were any repercussions. He promised her he’d

keep an eye open and not to worry about Jimmy.

* * * *

Kay sat on the ground in the second kennel, stroking Chloe’s ears.

She’d been moved a few days earlier because they weren’t sure of her

due date, only that it should be close. Stuart had said he wanted her

sequestered from the rest of the dogs but not isolated. She’d heard his

footsteps on the gravel walkway before she saw him.

“Evening Stuart,” she said, letting him know she knew he was

there.

“Kadence, how’s she doing tonight?” He didn’t enter Chloe’s pen,

only commanded the rest of the dogs to be quiet while they spoke.

Finally, he let himself in and petted the dogs, keeping the fencing

between him and Kay.

“She seems stressed, or maybe just tired. I suppose if I was

carrying a litter, I’d be tired too.”

“Did you want a family?” he asked out of the blue, surprising her

with his question.

She didn’t hesitate to answer, and she seemed to stun him when

she did.

“Yes, I do. But when I realized my choice of husband wasn’t

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Louisa Neil

great, I made sure it wasn’t an issue.” She watched Stuart and

wondered what he was thinking. Had his thoughts gone back to the

telephone conversation he’d eavesdropped on and understood her

rationale? She added, “At least I wouldn’t have been carrying five or

six.”

Stuart laughed. More like seven or eight.” Kay gave him a

horrified look and broke into laugher as she stroked Chloe’s belly.

She knew Stuart watched her hand and wondered if he was

debating how she’d stroke him. He left the dogs quickly, giving her a

brief good night as he did. Kay laughed at his quick retreat.

* * * *

Kay sat with the dog a little longer, wondering what had sent

Stuart running this time. Shaking her head, she said, “He’s just afraid

of me,” talking to the dog who only stared at her. “Maybe you have

the right idea, old girl. Just do the deed and move on.” Kay stood and

dusted off the back of her jeans, only to turn and realize Stuart was

still there.

“I’m not afraid of you, Kadence.” His voice was a low growl.

“Could have fooled me, Stuart.” She left the pen and locked the

gate, forcing herself to confront him.

“You should be…” he started when she got closer to him. Kay

was sick and tired of playing this game with him. First Jimmy this

morning and now Stuart.

“Men!” she said aloud as she pushed past him, only to have his

arm come out and stop her progress. He looked at her, and she held

his gaze, not flinching or backing down.

“I’m not afraid of you, Stuart, on any level. I’m an adult who

makes my own choices. You’ve made it quite clear that I’m not yours.

So let’s just drop the pretense and move on.” Again she refused to

look away, instead staring down at his large hand on her upper arm.

Kay figured he was deciding what to do or say and was disappointed

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when he dropped his hand from her. Her arm immediately felt cold

where his fingers had held her.

“Why didn’t you tell me Timms was bothering you?”

“Because I wanted to handle him on my own.” She watched him

before adding, “Did Lisa tell you?”

“No, Travis mentioned he was annoying you. I’ll speak to him

tomorrow.”

“No, don’t. It will only make it worse. If he starts up again, I’ll let

you know. Hopefully with Lisa’s intervention this morning, he’ll back

off.” She hesitated, then laughed. “I lost my temper this morning. I

don’t think he’ll want anything to do with the shrew that confronted

him today.”

“You have a bad temper?” he asked, laughing at the concept.

“Just don’t piss me off,” she told him. “Seriously, he’s like a

child; the more you warn him away, the more he’ll pester me. Just

drop it for now, and if he starts up again, I’ll handle him differently next time.”

“And how will that work?” he asked, seriously wanting to know.

“If he touches me again, I’ll drop him.” She said it with clarity